Research activities in the first two cycles of Italian Biosystems Engineering University studies

In Italy, from the academic year 2000-2001, Universities offer 3-year 1st cycle degreestudy programmes, 2-year 2nd cycle degree study programmes and 3rd cycle degrees.During the implementation of the Bologna process in Italy, from the academic year2008-2009, 3+2 year University study programmes were updated.In the Italian Agricultural Engineering teaching institutions the students of the 1st and2nd cycles can carry out research activities, through their thesis work and/or theircoursework project. In Italy the access to research positions for the 2nd cyclegraduates is a little more common than for the 1st cycle graduates.Possible actions and activities for preserving the topics of rare and disappearingknowledge in Biosystems Engineering in Europe (historical farm or old ruralbuildings; old water/wind mills, oil mills, etc.; agritourism or rural tourism; agriculturalmuseums; old agricultural machines and tools, mill stones, olive presses, etc.) can becarried out, also within the ERABEE thematic network.